Dual use cup assembly

ABSTRACT

A cup assembly with an upper concavity and a lower concavity, a means located on the inside of the upper concavity for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, and a means located on the inside of the lower concavity for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to container closures. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination container closure and cup assembly.

2. Description of Related Art

Cups and container closures are known in the prior art. Combination container closure and cup assemblies are also known in the prior art. The need exists for a combination container closure and cup assembly that one may detachably attach to the open end of various containers by various means.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention to present a combination container closure and cup assembly that one may detachably attached to a variety of containers by various means. It is another object of the present invention to present a combination container closure and cup assembly that that is simple in design, manufacture, and use.

The present invention accomplishes the above-mentioned and other objects and overcomes disadvantages associated with other combination container closure and cup assemblies by providing a cup assembly with an upper concavity and a lower concavity, a means located on the inside of the upper concavity for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, and a means located on the inside of the lower concavity for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section view of the cup assembly with a stopper/stopper closure combination.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section view of the cup assembly with a threaded/threaded closure combination.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of the cup assembly with a stopper/threaded closure combination.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of the cup assembly with a stopper/threaded closure combination attached to a bottle via the threads.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section view of the cup assembly with a stopper/threaded closure combination attached to a bottle via the stopper.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternate constructions, certain illustrative examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions, and the equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention.

FIGS. 1 through 5 show a combination container closure and cup assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention includes a cup assembly having a base 101; a side wall extending generally upward 102 from the base area terminating at a rim 103 that surrounds an open top thereby creating an upper concavity 104; a side wall extending generally downward 201 from the base area terminating at a lower rim 202 that surrounds an open bottom thereby creating a lower concavity 203.

The present invention also includes a means, located on the inside of the upper concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, and a means, located on the inside of the lower concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container. The means for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container includes threads located on the inside of the side walls forming the upper and/or lower concavities 302 for threadably engaging and sealing a container with a threaded neck as is shown in FIG. 4. The means for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container includes a stopper 301 (made of rubber, cork, or other suitable material capable of sealing a container opening) affixed to the base 101 inside the upper and/or lower concavity for extending into, engaging, and sealing a container opening as is shown in FIG. 5. The means for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container includes an inner side wall extending generally upward 204 from the base 101 and inside the upper concavity terminating at a rim that surrounds an open top thereby creating an inner upper concavity with threads located on the inside thereof 205 for threadably engaging and sealing a container with a threaded neck.

The cup assembly may be formed of any material capable of containing a liquid.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that modifications may be made in the details of the invention's construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for the purposes of exemplification. 

1. A cup assembly for a container comprising: a base, a side wall extending generally upwardly from the base terminating at an upper rim surrounding an open top thereby creating an upper concavity, and a side wall extending generally downwardly from the base and terminating at a lower rim surrounding an open bottom thereby creating a lower concavity; means, located on the inside of said upper concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container; and means, located on the inside of said lower concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container.
 2. A cup assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein: said means, located on the inside of said upper concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, includes a plurality of threads located on the inside of said wall extending generally upwardly from the base for threadably engaging and sealing a container with a threaded neck.
 3. A cup assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein: said means, located on the inside of said upper concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, includes a stopper attached to said base for extending into, engaging, and sealing a container opening.
 4. A cup assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein: said means, located on the inside of said lower concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, includes a plurality of threads located on the inside of said wall extending generally downwardly from the base for threadably engaging and sealing a container with a threaded neck.
 5. A cup assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein: said means, located on the inside of said lower concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, includes a stopper attached to said base for extending into, engaging, and sealing a container opening.
 6. A cup assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein: said means, located on the inside of said upper concavity, for detachably attaching the cup assembly to a container, includes an inner wall extending generally upward from said base and inside said upper concavity terminating at a rim that surrounds an open top thereby creating an inner upper concavity with a plurality of threads located on the inside thereof for threadably engaging and sealing a container with a threaded neck. 